Match Preview: Republic FC take on Sounders FC in Fourth Round of the U.S. Open Cup

On Wednesday night, Republic FC will take on Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders FC for a spot in the Round of 16 of the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. and the match will be streamed live on SacRepublicFC.com.

Republic FC advanced to the Fourth Round of the tournament after beating Reno 1868 FC 1-0 on the road in the previous round. It was the second consecutive year Sacramento eliminated their Nevadan rivals at this stage of the Cup.

The Indomitable Club is looking to replicate their success from last year when they finally broke through the Fourth Round wall by defeating MLS side Real Salt Lake 4-1 at home. Republic FC had previously gone down at this stage in 2014 and 2015, both times against the San Jose Earthquakes.

The boys in Old Glory Red will be bullish about repeating the feat this week, too. Wednesday’s matchup is the second time Sacramento and Seattle will face off in 2018 after playing in a preseason friendly at Papa Murphy’s Park. Although the 3-1 result was in the visitors’ favor, much has changed since they met in February.

Back then, Republic FC was practically a brand new team, with only eight returning players and a new head coach starting to get their first minutes together. Meanwhile, Sounders FC was preparing to take on CD Guadalajara in the Concacaf Champions League Quarterfinals. Fast-forward to today and Sacramento sit tied for second place in the Western Conference, while Clint Dempsey’s side is second from the bottom of their respective table.

The winner of Wednesday’s matchup will progress to the Round of 16, which will take place on June 20.